'Terrorism won't divide or break us...'

TWENTY years after London fell victim to one of Britain’s worst terrorist attacks, the Royal Family led the nation in paying tribute to the victims and survivors.

- By Emily Ferguson

The Prince of Wales cut a sombre figure as he laid flowers at Hyde Park in memory of the 52 people who were killed in the 7/7 bombings.

William joined survivors and families of the victims for a moving service at the permanent memorial yesterday afternoon, to mark the 20th anniversary of the atrocity.

Thelma Stober, one of the survivors, was among the speakers. She condemned the “senseless act of terror” and said: “Terrorism will never succeed to divide or break us. They tried to tear us apart that day but they failed. Humanity will always be stronger than hate.”

On July 7, 2005, four bombs were detonated on three underground trains and on a double-decker bus during London’s morning rush hour, killing 52 and injuring more than 770.

The Prince was one of the last of the 500 guests to take his seat, wearing a dark navy suit and matching tie for the occasion.

Families, wearing a mixture of all black and brightly coloured outfits, warmly greeted one another as they started to arrive at the busy London park.

Many walked over to the monument of 52 steel pillars representing each of the victims, to see the names of their loved ones engraved on the memorial, alongside the time of death.

Floral tributes had been laid on a plaque embedded in the grass near the pillars listing the names alphabetically earlier in the day by the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London.

Then, families tearfully touched the names on the plaque and paused for a moment of reflection by the wreaths, which were laid at 8.49am to coincide with the moment the first bomb went off.

Grief